Seattle’s star-studded rotation lost George Kirby and Logan Gilbert to injury in the early stages of spring, but a major piece of the puzzle returns when the Mariners commence an all-important, four-game series Thursday with their archrivals.
Kirby will rejoin the Mariners and make his season debut in Thursday’s opener with the Houston Astros at Daikin Park, manager Dan Wilson announced Wednesday, marking the 27-year-old’s first MLB start since Sept. 25, 2024.
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“Obviously looking forward to getting George back out there, and I know he’s excited to get back out there as well,” Wilson said.
Kirby (right shoulder inflammation) was shut down on March 7 and recently completed a rehab assignment in Triple-A Tacoma that resembled a gradual, spring training-like schedule. In three condensed starts (10 IP) with the Rainiers from May 4-16, Kirby went 0-0 with a 7.20 ERA, two walks, and 13 strikeouts.
One of the game’s elite strike-throwers, Kirby walked just three percent of batters faced in 2024, which ranked in the top one percent of MLB arms. In three seasons (89 games) with the Mariners, Kirby is 35-26 with a 3.43 ERA and 484 strikeouts to just 64 walks.
“I know it’s been a long road for George since spring training,” Wilson said. “He put the work in. … It’s great to have him back. We’re excited to get him back.”
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Expect Kirby to throw between 75 and 80 pitches in his season debut; Seattle will monitor their star carefully in his return to the major leagues, Wilson said.
Kirby duels Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr. in Thursday’s series opener. First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 p.m.